ONE of Truro's iconic hotels is on the verge of being demolished after its owners sealed a £1.7 million deal to sell the site.

Paul and Pamela Treseder, who took over the 1938 Art Deco Brookdale Hotel on Tregolls Road in 2000, sold it to developer McCarthy and Stone, which has planning permission to build 45 retirement flats.

Last year the couple also sold Crossroads Hotel, Scorrier, which has since been turned into a home for the elderly.

The pair, who held their wedding reception at the Brookdale in 1969, closed its doors for the last time on Friday.

Their daughter Louise, who runs Driftwood Spars pub and hotel in St Agnes, said it was time for her parents to retire from the "increasingly difficult to manage" business.

"It's prime estate in Truro and needs to evolve. It was difficult to meet customers' expectations; the building needed updating. They have been so much happier and not so stressed; they have worked extremely hard through the years."

Mr Treseder, who also ran Truro's Marcorrie (now the Townhouse in Falmouth Road), said he was pleased with the Brookdale sale for about £1.7 million and new design.

He said private hoteliers were facing a tough market and that he would be "shedding no tears" to be leaving the business.

"Regulations, government red tape and 20 per cent VAT have killed the trade," he added: "The lodge chains (such as Premier Inn) have got the edge in advertising and their booking system.

"It's not a 9-to-5 business, it's hard work 365 days of the year and people don't want to work unsociable hours.

"When you run a hotel the customers are king, your private life comes third after customers' and staff."

It is hoped building work on the flats, plus communal areas and house manager's accommodation, will begin in January and be complete by 2014.